Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon novel Chapter 170

"Mom, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing." Suzan was more anxious about the child than anyone else.

She mulled over her next steps, wondering what would be best.

...

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, the holidays were here.

It was Effie’s first Christmas since marrying Lyman.

She took it seriously—after all, she was the new wife in the family.

First, she visited her grandmother, bringing along a generous basket of gifts and staying to share a meal.

Lyman had wanted to invite her grandmother over to their place for the holidays, thinking it would be livelier with her there. But Grandma preferred the company of her neighbor these days, and politely declined the invitation.

Effie didn't push it—she visited often enough anyway.

After dinner, she and Lyman headed home together.

This year, they were having Christmas Eve dinner at the old family house.

Lyman’s Uncle Healy and Uncle Fowler had both returned with their families.

The patriarch had three sons: the eldest was Lyman’s father; the second, Healy Etheridge, was married to Charis and had a son named Graham; the youngest, Fowler Etheridge, was married to Marcia and had a daughter, Fidelia.

Healy and Fowler both managed different branches of the family business out of town, so they only came back for major holidays and important occasions.

Since Effie and Lyman hadn’t held a wedding reception yet, she hadn’t met the whole extended family until now.

Effie felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach.

Lyman smiled, offering reassurance. “Don’t worry. Luther’s already picked out the gifts for everyone. All you have to do is hand them out.”

Effie pressed her lips together, a hint of anxiety in her voice. “I just hope everyone’s easy to get along with.”

Lyman’s gaze turned cool. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll be right by your side.”

Beneath the friendly words, the implication was clear: Effie hadn’t been given the importance she deserved.

Effie’s fingers tightened slightly, but she kept her composure. “Aunt Charis, Aunt Marcia, it’s so nice to finally meet you. I brought a little something—I hope you’ll like it.”

She handed them carefully wrapped gift boxes.

Charis opened hers to find an elegant silk scarf—expensive, tasteful. Her smile softened into something genuinely appreciative. “Goodness, this is too much!”

But she tucked it away quickly all the same.

Marcia’s gift was another luxurious scarf—real silk, from a brand that was hard to come by.

Fidelia leaned in with a playful grin. “So, what about me, sis?”

Effie was ready. She handed over a limited-edition handbag. “I heard you love this designer. I hope it’s your style.”

Luther really was the “ace assistant”—he seemed to know exactly what everyone in the family liked.